NFL Settles With Charity Over Gambling Rules

In a move that could perhaps alter the way the league views the relationship between its athletes and casinos, the NFL has agreed to settle with a charity over its gambling policy that prohibits players from being involved with a promotional event of any kind at a casino.

According to a report from USA Today, the youth charity group Strikes for Kids sued the NFL for fraud over a 2015 bowling event. The group was forced to relocate the event because the bowling alley was located inside Sunset Station hotel and casino.

The event was attended by more than 100 kids and 25 NFL players.The charity was forced to move the event to a smaller bowling alley and it claims that it lost money as a result. Ironically, the new location that the NFL signed off on was also part of a Las Vegas casino complex.

While NFL players are allowed to enter casinos and gamble, they are currently forbidden from being associated with any promotion or event. That will surely have to change in some way if the league is to have a Las Vegas Raiders franchise.

The Raiders are preparing to relocate after the NFL owners approved the move earlier this year.

A Sept. 25 trial date had been set for the NFL vs. Strikes for Kids case, and the charity was requesting that Commissioner Roger Goodell get on the stand and testify. The settlement will allow him to avoid having to outline the league’s contradictory stance on gambling.

In April, the NFL fell into hot water with the public when it said it will issue fines to about 30 players who participated in a charity arm wrestling match at MGM Grand.

In June 2015, three players were barred from playing in a $94 poker event in Florida after they were used on an advertisement for the tournament.